Common sense takes a hike
Two recent coal decisions could hurt Kentucky in the long run. Why aren’t we talking about it? As anyone in the coalfields knows, when it rains, it pours — debris from the mines, often into your home, yard and water supply. Learning to see peril as it barrels down a mountain at you is a…
Representin”: Taxing ourselves to grow
We can all basically agree that redeveloping burned-out, seedy corners of town is a good thing. I’m not talking about the kitschy, urban-hip burned-out that stands opposite of gentrification. Real stuff. A sea of parking lots with a long-ignored island of a building in the middle, for instance. If you’d like to speak intelligently about…
Out of the ordinary: The Kentucky State Fair does exotic animals. Is that a problem?
Bruno Blaszak: and one of the eight tigers that were part of his show at the Kentucky State Fair. You could say The Kentucky State fair is a cornucopia of moral relativism, from the fatasses and their poor food choices to the carnival slicks smiling through the scam to the pens full of farm animals…
Erosia
LEO welcomes letters that are brief (250 words max) and thoughtful. Ad hominem attacks will be ignored, and we need your name and a daytime phone number. Send snail mail to EROSIA, 640 S. Fourth St., Louisville, Ky. 40202. Fax to 895-9779 or e-mail to leo@leoweekly.com. We may edit for length, grammar and clarity. Daring…
Message to the People: Michael Vick and the continuing drama of race
Recently, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty to felony dogfighting charges in Virginia. The question now is not whether Vick will spend time behind bars or not, but how much time he’ll serve. Whether he is sent away for less than a year (as his attorneys want) or up to five (the maximum for…
Rumor & Innuendo
Bold predictions, signifying nothing. Both local schools have the same question mark. Can they maintain focus and swagger? UK will finish a bowl-less 5-7, losing to Kent State, Louisville, South Carolina, LSU, Florida, Vandy and Georgia. They will beat Tennessee — I know, it’s a trendy “upset” — sealing the fate of “retiring” Phil Fulmer.…
City Strobe
Poe to Irish Hill: Turn the other creekIn the dark basement of the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana building on Lexington Road on Aug. 20, members of the Irish Hill community squarely directed their anger at one man. It was dark because they were watching a PowerPoint presentation; they were angry because that presentation showed the…
ART EPIPHANIES: How I learned to stop fearing improvisation and love mimes
Sherry Deatrick acts out a scene with Molly Frick in which Frick’s character has been injured. In February I was forced to take acting classes. Every morning for more almost a week. I was petrified. This foray included classes conducted by a mime. Eeek! Like most people, to me the word “mime” conjured up an…
ART EPIPHANIES: Learning to see beyond the mirror — and dance
Elizabeth Kramer: tries to find her balance in ballet class at the Louisville Ballet School. Photo by Angela Shoemaker What little girl doesn’t want to be a ballet dancer and wear a tiara?Well, I never desired a tiara during my childhood. But I do remember being four years old and daring to dance my own…
ART EPIPHANIES: How a mother reconnected with her dream of learning violin
Mary Illback is now a violin teacher.: Photo courtesy of Mary Illback In the early 1960s, when I was a seventh grader struggling to learn to play the violin in my beginning orchestra class in the public school in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the conductor brought in a newspaper article. A photo showed his grown-up daughter…
Does classical music still matter?: Some will keep following the fate of the melody
Comstock Hall: Photo by Tom Fougerousse The University of Louisville’s Comstock Hall has the best acoustics in the city for listening to classical music. It’s not a colossal publishing smash, but a new book called “Why Classical Music Still Matters” has managed to create a stir among people for whom classical music does still matter.…
Putting the “F” in art: Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble is sneaky with its audiences
Le Peteomane: Photo courtesy of Le Peteomane Lined up and always ready to roll out interesting theatrical ideas, Le Peteomane Theatre Ensemble is (left to right) Kyle Ware, Abigail Bailey Maupin, Heather Burns, Tony Dingman, Kristie Rolape and Gregory Maupin. From the first minute I saw the cast in “Ka-Blam!” at the Rudyard Kipling last…
The man comes around: A Louisville gallerist for 25 years, Chuck Swanson works all sides of the city”s art scene
Chuck Swanson To many fathers it would be a nightmare: A son, home from college, wants to use your business property (in this case a temporarily unoccupied apartment) for a rock concert. For artist and gallery owner Chuck Swanson, however, it seemed like a great opportunity. Not only was he able to bond with his…
“I want to dance forever”: Theresa Bautista makes a living in the city”s underground scene
Theresa Bautista: a busy freelance teacher, dancer and choreographer, leads the Male High School marching band in dance exercises before a practice in July. Photo by Ross Gordon During the morning rush hour, the rumble can be deafening outside Male High School. Cars and trucks whiz by on I-65, and descending jets thunder overhead as…
A&E: 2007 A&E Guide Listings
DANCE FLAMENCO AT THE FORGE• Beauty of Flamenco Dance to the Beat of the Metal Workers’ Hammer — Oct. 26, Kaviar Forge Gallery. LOUISVILLE BALLET • “The Magic Flute” — Sept. 14-15.• “World Premiere,” “Vespri,” “Liturgy” and “The Golden Section — Company Premiere” — Nov. 2-3.• “The Nutcracker” — Dec. 8-23.• “World Premiere,” “World Premiere”…
A & E Spotlights (part 3): Dinicola, Walker, ATL
Spotlight On:DIANA DINICOLAFlamenco sends feet, hearts and spirits flying Diana Dinicola: PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANA DINICOLA Originally a ballet dancer, Diana Dinicola found her passion for flamenco. When Diana Dinicola talks about flamenco, she does it with intense passion. Clearly this art form is no mere trend for her.“It’s my own spiritual path in a…
A & E Spotlights (part 2): LYO, Ground Floor, Yandell
Spotlight On:THE LOUISVILLE YOUTH ORCHESTRADirector challenges youth during their formative years Jason Seber: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LOUISVILLE YOUTH ORCHESTRA Jason Seber is starting his third year directing The Louisville Youth Orchestra In 2005 Jason Seber moved to Louisville from Cleveland with a master’s degree in conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music, plus stints…
A& E Spotlights (part 1): Bartley, Ogle ,Nana Yaa
Spotlight On:ANGELA BARTLEYMary Todd Lincoln — and much more Angela Bartley: PHOTO COURTESY KENTUCKY HUMANITIES COUNCIL Angela Bartley does much more than just play Mary Todd Lincoln. “So, what do you do?” That is a loaded question to ask of Angela Bartley. The answer might confound you.In short, she teaches, dances, portrays historical figures, flies…
A&E: What you wish for …
Compiled by Mary Q. Burton, Erin Clephas, Elizabeth Kramer, Ryan Real and Meghan Wiggs Desire is powerful. It drives us to action, to seek romantic love (or at least pure sexual gratification). It impels the will to power, the pursuit of leadership roles. It prompts us to create.For our annual arts issue, LEO held a…
Staffpicks
Thursday, Aug. 30 ‘Dream Revive-All’ When Mercutio tells Romeo (in Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”) that dreams are “the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy,” perhaps he was suffering from the same self-deprivation and uninspiration that brings us all down from time to time. If bitterness and melancholy lurks overhead,…
Film Review: No End in Sight
No End in SightA documentary written and directed by Charles Ferguson. Released by Magnolia Pictures. UR; 2:02. Opens Friday, Sept. 7,at the Baxter Avenue Theatres. The Charles Ferguson documentary, “No End in Sight: The American Occupation in Iraq,” has been lauded for its cogent and even-handed dissection of American fumbling. Ferguson is a DC think…
Film Review: Resurrecting the Champ
4 starsResurrecting the ChampStarring Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Teri Hatcher, Alan Alda and Kathryn Morris. Directed by Rod Lurie. Released by Yari Film Group. Rated PG-13; 1:51. There a few decent reasons for giving “Resurrecting the Champ” four stars instead of three. The first is that it is a film about boxing and I…
Video Tapeworm: Releases through Tuesday, Sept. 4
THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKSBUY THE TICKET, TAKE THE RIDE2007; DVD $19.95, URA brilliant, spot-on documentary about Louisville’s least-appreciated son: gonzo journalist, Southern gentleman and brilliant anarchist Hunter S. Thompson. Narrated by Nick Nolte and punctuated with scores of surprising moments — including Harry Dean Stanton singing “Danny Boy!” — this is simply the best offering…
CD Reviews 8-29
Grand Animals Robbers on High Street(ADVANTAGE MUSIC)Do you ever wonder what Brendan Benson does when he isn’t being a raconteur? I happen to know. He does his awesome pop routine on tour with Robbers on High Street. Always one to pick great collaborators, Benson has picked some excellent tourmates. Although not quite as crafty with…
The Cherries on top, “Salvation” for Coliseum
BY C. ERIC BANISTER & MAT HERRON Wednesday, Aug. 29 cherryholmes Louisville holds many memories for Cherryholmes. The family band, originally from California, later Arizona and now Nashville, made the trek several times during the eight years the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual convention called the Galt House home. “At IBMA, it’s a totally different…
Rock the Water Tower v. 3.0 pits tradition against change
Code Red headlines Rock the Water Tower on Sunday night. Louisville’s changed quite a bit since 1985, but Rock the Water Tower is pretty much the same: It is still at the Water Tower on Zorn Avenue, and it is still Louisville artists playing music outside for a laid-back, late-summer crowd. This year’s lineup features…
Deer Park”s pride, Garrett”s quest, metal with a message
Friday, Aug. 31 Will Garrison Singer-songwriter Will Garrison makes a sort-of hometown return appearance this weekend. Never heard of him? Let’s hear what some of our best singer-songwriters say about him: “Absolutely the best songwriter who ever lived in the Deer Park neighborhood and high, high in the running for best from this city ever.…
Aftertastes
ONION RESTAURANT AND TEA HOUSE, 4211 Charlestown Rd., New Albany, (812) 981-0188. Part of the New Albany restaurant renaissance, this eatery is the perfect place for diverse tastes. Multiple menus offer fresh, flavorful entrees of Japanese, Chinese and American cuisine with no hibachi tables or knife-juggling chefs in sight. (Reviewed 7/25; Rating: N/A) TRAN JAPANESE…
The Bar Belle: Underage bliss
An ominous e-mail came across the Bar Belle news desk warning Kentucky bars that ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) will be out in force these next few weeks targeting sales to minors and focusing especially on those watering holes situated near colleges and universities. With first-offense fines starting at $1,750, you can bet area bars will…
North of the river, things are looking bright
The Speakeasy: Photo by Nicole Pullen The Speakeasy in New Albany was modeled after Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. The idea originated from proprietors and local musicians Lori (pictured above) and Brad Tharp. With three interesting new restaurants recently joining Bistro New Albany, Federal Hill, La Rosita and others in historic downtown New Albany,…
